Since the story of the assault charges brought against Navy SEALs Matthew McCabe, Julio Huertas and Jonathan Keefe first burst in the media, we have shared with you practically any information that we could get our hands and eyes on regarding the SEALs themselves and the battle that they now face. At this point, we thought that it may also be worth our while to learn a little bit more about the people who will be defending the SEALs that we so strongly support in court.
We start off with the man who will be defending Navy SEAL Matthew McCabe – the only SEAL in the trio who has been accused of actually physically assaulting suspected terrorist Ahmed Hashim Abed. Neal Puckett is a military criminal defense lawyer based in Alexandria, Virginia.
Puckett is no stranger to the military; he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), retiring in April 1997 after serving as the Officer in Charge of the Legal Service Support Section (LSSS) of the Third Force Service Support Group on Okinawa, Japan.
He was commissioned in 1977 by way of a Platoon Leaders Class program after he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from the Indiana University. He majored in both Psychology and Speech Communication. He also holds the following degrees: a J.D. degree from Indiana University School of Law (1984); an LL.M. degree in Criminal Law from the University of San Diego School of Law (1989); and an M.A. degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College (1993).
While in the service, he was the recipient of the Meritorious Service and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.
January 30th, 2010 - 10:32 am
It’s issues like this that make me wonder what this country is thinking??? Are we at a point where terrorists now have more rights than the men and women that proudly defend this country? The same men and women that put their life on the line every day to keep our country safe (something that alot of people take for granted). It’s a shame that our countries finest men have been put in a situation where they constantly need to look over their sholder, expecially when a split second could cost them their life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Matthew McCabe….stand tall.
And thank you Neal Puckett for your part in defending Matthew and our country. I’m not exactly sure how the particular trial proceedings take place, but I assume there must be a prosecuting team also. If so, maybe you should post their information so everyone can see what kind of a person (had to tone it down a bit) would sit on the prosecution side of a case like this.
February 1st, 2010 - 5:46 am
[...] like Neal Puckett and Monica Lombardi, Greg McCormack served in the military. He was a member of the U.S. Army Judge [...]
February 1st, 2010 - 8:21 am
Is the trial scheduled yet? If so, when?
February 1st, 2010 - 7:03 pm
Give the accused Navy Seals Medals for defending this country, an increase in pay, and a increase in rank post haste. Give the terrorist to me.
Thank you,
February 3rd, 2010 - 8:28 pm
Please get these SEALs out of this. This is a total insult to the Armed Forces, and shows the complete impropriety the military now has in trying to make itself look good for the liberal mainstream media.
To shame with Secretary of the Navy, the Admiral who has allowed this go this far, and the rest of their chain of command. TO SHAME ON YOU ALL, sirs. Let’s be honest Admiral(s), if you weren’t so concerned about your own careers, this would not be happening.
-Tom, 3rd SFG, Army veteran
February 8th, 2010 - 8:52 am
Can you post an update here on 02/08/2010 ? The story seems to be lost in the world’s greatest news media.
February 10th, 2010 - 6:36 am
[...] Navy SEAL Matthew McCabe, one of three Navy SEALs involved in the case and the only one accused of actually hitting the detainee, is represented by Neal Puckett. [...]
February 10th, 2010 - 9:58 am
Shame on the U.S. “We bow down to anyone” government for allowing this type of B.S. to occur. Give the boys a medal and let them get back to the job they love . . . the job we respect them for.
February 17th, 2010 - 2:40 pm
I sent 2 letters to Adm. Eric Olson asking him to intercede on behalf of the Seals. NO answer! Apparently NO action also.
February 22nd, 2010 - 4:05 pm
Since when do “Detainee’s” or NON AMERICAN CITIZENS have Constitutional Rights. The “Brass” took an oath to protect our rights, not theirs! The several US Senators that I talked to agreed. These are not US citizens and therefore do not have any Constitutional Rights.
February 23rd, 2010 - 3:06 pm
Although I dislike charges being brought against this serviceman, the question is: Does the military have a UCMJ or not?
Article 93 prohibits maltreatment or abuse. As much as the terrorist captured deserves a bullet in the brain, if PO McCabe did in fact assault the prisoner he must answer to his violation of established law. If PO McCabe shot the guy between the eyes, would that be ok to everyone?
There is only one version of the UCMJ that I am aware of…there isn’t one that has special circumstances that allow unpunished violations.
I hope he is exonerated because the charges are false. Not for the fact that the ‘victim’ deserved what he got.
February 26th, 2010 - 8:12 pm
It’s not embarrassing that MAYBE (and I emphasize MAYBE) one of our soldiers punched a terrorist – it’s embarrassing that the story got beyond the 4 foot parameter of where it SUPPOSEDLY happened. When our “guys” get captured by the enemy, they are beheaded. Poor little Ahmed Hashim Abed…. him has a fat lip….poor baby!
February 26th, 2010 - 8:17 pm
I have a question for William Wilson.
The UCMJ (UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE) states right on the front of their web page
“Congressional Code of Military Criminal Law applicable to all military members worldwide.”
It is apparent that the terrorist whom has allegedly been abused is not part of this “Military Members World Wide” and even if they were lost all rights to be treated equally based on their actions.
So my question would be , are terrorist in any way a part of the UCMJ code of conduct?
February 27th, 2010 - 2:52 pm
I have also served in our Armed Services. I feel that this is an injustice and will prove to be the downfall of our Military in the future. I also feel that the terrorist should be the responsibility of our Military on sceen and not some BACK OFFICE jerk that wants to make a name for himself… This terrorist KILLED Americans and all he got for it was a punch in the stomach… How dare this BACK OFFICE JERK claim to be an AMERICAN…
RELEASE OUR SEALS NOW AND LET THEM GET TO DUTY!!!!!
March 2nd, 2010 - 5:08 pm
I am ashamed, this is not the country my father fought with Patton for during WWII. Are we, the people really paying attention to what is happening here? We send our sons and daughters to war. And this is what they get for defending our country? What an injustice? What a waste of tax payers tax dollars? Give these Seals a pay raise. Promote them, welcome them them home as the hero they are. Then what do you say, let’s give the terrorist the trial? Remember this come election day!
March 3rd, 2010 - 6:38 am
From an old, retired Army Ranger: The training our sons and daughters undergo in preparation to go to war is much harsher than a fat lip or a punch in the stomach, neither of which rise to the level of ABUSE. However vague and all-encompassing those “politically correct”, arm-chair quarterbacks want to make the definition of abuse, they have not earned the right. Abuse should be defined by veterans, those that have seen the elephant, not some lawyer or academic who thinks that hardship, pressure, or frustation is having your cable TV go out. Defining abuse is kind of like defining pornography, the average person may have trouble articulating a definition, but can certainly recognize it when they see it. To those that have been to war, Abed’s treatment falls so far short of abuse as to be laughable. Tell these Seals not to punch the bad guys anymore, because it makes the politicians mad, and then send them back to work. We have unfinished business with those that would kill and butcher America’s citizens.
March 4th, 2010 - 9:32 am
I have been getting updates to this situation since it began. I remember thinking when I first heard about the story, ‘Did I just wake up in Cuba or China?’ I am a retired veteran, served 20 years and supported the military my whole life. Seeing situations like this cause me to wonder how to advise my sons when they ask if they should go into the military. 10 years ago I would have said absolutely, but seeing these situations crop up with the military leaders makes me wonder if that advice would be good now a days. I totally support our troops, wishing military leaders did too, and would still give my life for this country. I would hope that the charges be lifted and slap these guys hands and tell them “No more punching terrorist suspects that ‘allegedly’ drug Americans behind a car and then hung them from a bridge!” Being very stern with them, maybe even punch them in the stomach. They’re Seals! I know they could take it. I am very proud of you guys!! Hand in there. My prayers and hopes are with you.
March 5th, 2010 - 8:12 am
[...] lawyer Neil Puckett also appeared on Happening Now on Fox, also to talk about the [...]
March 5th, 2010 - 8:46 pm
Thank you Matthew. I was in my sixties when I saw the contractors on the bridge. I was on cnn and I cried. Thank yo u for capturing him before he tortured and hung more people on the bridge. We don”t believe in persecuting and prosecuting our young seals. When we coddle and protect terroists, we have lost our way. Your in my prayers , and Neil puckett, your in my prayers as well. M . K. P s. A lot of people have forgotten about the terrorists and their atrocities , beheadings, the disinegration of 3000 innocents in New york, the loss of thousands of our young ,brave military . But I have’nt forgotten.
March 6th, 2010 - 7:34 am
I was moved by your story and only wish you the best. I work in Law Enforcement and we too are being closely scrutinized for every little thing that happens to a detainee. Doing what must be done is a hard thing but I beleive that true justice will prevail in this and you will be exonerated. No matter what the final outcome, know that you ARE a hero to the vast majority of True Americans and we will never forget the sacrifices of our military forces.
March 9th, 2010 - 3:47 pm
Let me see if I understand this correctly. If Ahmed Hashim Abed had been killed in the field instead of captured, Matthew McCabe and the others would have been heros. But, because Ahmed was captured, he is now given more rights and credibility than the Navy SEALS, and our SEALS have gone from heros to zeros. Could it be that Ahmed is playing our system and the bureaucrats for the fools they aparently are. Do you think George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Regan (to name a very few) would have allowed this travesty of justice to go this far? Maybe our bureaucrats should put themselves in the hands of the terrorists so they can get a really good definition of abuse! If they’re not willing to do that, maybe they could talk with John McCain to get a clear definition.